Hot and cold water dispensers

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of drinking water equipment and aims to address the problem of existing hot and cold water dispensers, where the water in the ice jar of a water dispenser tends to become stale or smelly after prolonged periods of non-use. To this end, the present invention provides a hot and cold water dispenser comprising a water tank, an ice jar, a heater, a water pump, a water outlet valve, and an on / off valve. The dispenser also includes an ice jar drain outlet and a heater drain outlet. The heater drain outlet is connected to the pipeline between the water pump and heater via a heater drain line. The ice jar drain outlet is connected to the ice jar discharge port via the ice jar drain line, with the on / off valve interposed between the ice jar drain line and the heater drain line. With this structure, the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention can switch to an ice jar water replacement mode when the ice jar is not used for an extended period, replacing the water in the ice jar with fresh water from the water tank. This ensures that the water in the ice jar is promptly refreshed, thus avoiding any associated sanitation issues.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of drinking water equipment, and in particular provides a hot and cold water dispenser with an ice bladder drain outlet and a heater drain outlet. Background Art

[0002] Existing pipeline hot and cold water dispensers all have an ice bladder that stores and cools purified water. If a user requires cold water, they open the switch connected to the water outlet valve to release the cold water. If the ice bladder is not used for an extended period, the ice bladder drain port must be opened promptly to drain the remaining water. Generally, the ice bladder is a sealed container. When temperatures are low or the user does not use the ice bladder for an extended period, most users forget to open the drain port to drain the remaining water. This causes the water inside the ice bladder to become stale or smelly due to long-term disuse, resulting in a poor user experience and even health problems.

[0003] Accordingly, this field requires a new hot and cold water dispenser to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, namely, to address the problem that the water in the ice container of existing hot and cold water dispensers tends to become stale or smelly after prolonged non-use. To this end, the present invention provides a hot and cold water dispenser comprising a water tank, an ice container, a heater, a water pump, a water outlet valve, and an on / off valve. The dispenser also includes an ice container drain outlet and a heater drain outlet.

[0005] The ice bladder includes an ice bladder water inlet, an ice bladder water outlet and an ice bladder discharge port;

[0006] The heater includes a heater water inlet and a heater water outlet;

[0007] The water pump comprises a water pump inlet and a water pump outlet;

[0008] The water tank includes a water tank outlet, and the ice bladder water inlet and the water pump water inlet are connected to the water tank outlet through an ice bladder water inlet pipeline and a water pump water inlet pipeline respectively;

[0009] The water outlet valve comprises a water outlet valve inlet and a water outlet valve outlet, the ice bladder water outlet and the heater water outlet are connected to the water outlet valve inlet via an ice bladder water outlet pipeline and a heater water outlet pipeline respectively;

[0010] The water outlet of the water pump is connected to the water inlet of the heater through a water outlet pipeline of the water pump;

[0011] The heater drain port is connected to the water pump outlet pipeline through a heater drain pipeline;

[0012] The ice gall drain outlet is connected to the ice gall discharge port via an ice gall drain pipeline;

[0013] The switch valve is located between the ice tank drain line and the heater drain line.

[0014] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned hot and cold water dispenser, the ice bladder drain port and the heater drain port are formed on the housing of the hot and cold water dispenser. When the ice bladder drain port and the heater drain port are opened, the water in the ice bladder and the heater is discharged through the ice bladder drain port and the heater drain port.

[0015] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned hot and cold water dispenser, the water tank outlet includes a first water tank outlet and a second water tank outlet, the ice tank water inlet pipeline is connected between the first water tank outlet and the ice tank water inlet, and the water pump inlet pipeline is connected between the second water tank outlet and the water pump inlet.

[0016] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned hot and cold water dispenser, the water outlet valve inlet includes a first water outlet valve inlet and a second water outlet valve inlet, the ice tank water outlet pipeline is connected between the first water outlet valve inlet and the ice tank water outlet, and the heater water outlet pipeline is connected between the second water outlet valve inlet and the heater water outlet.

[0017] In the preferred technical solution of the above hot and cold water dispenser, the heater is a thick film heater.

[0018] In the preferred technical solution of the above hot and cold water dispenser, the switch valve is an electromagnetic switch valve.

[0019] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned hot and cold water dispenser, the hot and cold water dispenser is a pipeline hot and cold water dispenser.

[0020] In the preferred technical solution of the above hot and cold water dispenser, the water tank further includes a water inlet, which is used to connect to an external water source.

[0021] In addition, the present invention also provides a control method for the above-mentioned hot and cold water dispenser, the control method for the hot and cold water dispenser comprising the following steps:

[0022] Determining the duration of time during which the water in the ice bladder is not drained;

[0023] Comparing the duration with a set threshold;

[0024] According to the comparison result, the opening and closing of one or more of the switch valve, the water pump and the water outlet valve are controlled.

[0025] In the preferred technical solution of the control method of the hot and cold water dispenser, the step of "controlling the opening and closing of one or more of the switch valve, the water pump, and the water outlet valve according to the comparison result" specifically includes:

[0026] If the duration is less than the set threshold, open the water outlet valve and the water pump and close the switch valve; and / or

[0027] If the duration is greater than or equal to the set threshold, the switch valve and the water pump are opened and the water outlet valve is closed.

[0028] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in the preferred technical solution of the present invention, by turning on the ice bladder water exchange mode, that is, closing the water outlet valve and simultaneously opening the water pump and the switch valve between the ice bladder drainage pipeline and the heater drainage pipeline, the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention can reversely transport the water in the water tank into the ice bladder through the water pump, and at the same time make the water in the ice bladder flow back to the water tank. After multiple cycles, the stale water in the ice bladder is replaced by the new water in the water tank, thereby achieving the fluidity of the water inside the ice bladder and preventing the water in the ice bladder from becoming stale due to long-term closure and unused. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 2. It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the hot and cold water dispenser according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a normal water supply mode of a hot and cold water dispenser according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 2. It is a schematic diagram of the ice bladder water replacement mode of the hot and cold water dispenser according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 1 is a flow chart of the main steps of the control method of the hot and cold water dispenser according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the description of this application, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are only used to describe different technical features of the same type, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined by "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions or technical means between the various embodiments of this application can be combined with each other as long as they can be implemented by ordinary technicians in this field. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention is a pipeline-type hot and cold water dispenser, comprising a water tank 1, an ice bladder 2, a thick-film heater 3, a water pump 4, a water outlet valve 5, and a solenoid switch valve 6. The water tank 1 includes a first water tank outlet 11 and a second water tank outlet 12. The ice bladder 2 includes an ice bladder inlet 21, an ice bladder outlet 22, and an ice bladder discharge port 23. The ice bladder inlet pipeline is connected between the first water tank outlet 11 and the ice bladder inlet 21. The thick-film heater 3 includes a thick-film heater inlet 31 and a thick-film heater outlet 32. The water pump 4 includes a water pump inlet 41 and a water pump outlet 42. The water pump inlet pipeline is connected between the second water tank outlet 12 and the water pump inlet 41. The water pump outlet 42 communicates with the thick-film heater inlet 31 via the water pump outlet pipeline. The water outlet valve 5 includes a first water outlet valve inlet 51, a second water outlet valve inlet 52 and a water outlet valve outlet 53. The ice gallbladder water outlet 22 and the thick film heater water outlet 32 ​​are connected to the first water outlet valve inlet 51 and the second water outlet valve inlet 52 through the ice gallbladder water outlet pipeline and the thick film heater water outlet pipeline respectively.

[0036] It should be noted that while the electromagnetic on / off valve 6 is described herein, this is not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may select any other valve with an on / off function as needed. Furthermore, while the thick-film heater 3 is described herein, this is not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may select any other type of heater as needed. Adjustments to the on / off valve and heater types do not alter the principles of the present invention, and thus the resulting technical solutions will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] Continue reading Figure 1 The hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention further includes an ice bladder drain port 7 and a thick film heater drain port 8. The ice bladder drain port 7 is connected to the ice bladder discharge port 23 via an ice bladder drain line, and the thick film heater drain port 8 is connected to the water pump outlet line via the thick film heater drain line, that is, to the line between the water pump outlet 42 and the thick film heater inlet 31.

[0038] It should also be noted that, although the description herein is that the water tank 1 is provided with a first water tank outlet 11 and a second water tank outlet 12, and the outlet valve 5 is provided with a first outlet valve inlet 51 and a second outlet valve inlet 52, this is not restrictive. A person skilled in the art can obviously set the water tank 1 to have only one water outlet, and the ice bladder water inlet pipeline and the water pump inlet pipeline are both connected to this single water outlet, and the outlet valve 5 can also be provided with only one water inlet, and the ice bladder water outlet pipeline and the thick film heater water outlet pipeline are both connected to this single water inlet.

[0039] In addition, despite Figure 1Not shown, the water tank 1 of the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention further includes a water tank inlet, which is connected to an external water source to replenish new water for the water tank.

[0040] Preferably, the ice bladder drain port 7 and the thick-film heater drain port 8 are formed on the housing of the hot and cold water dispenser and are normally blocked. When opened, the water in the ice bladder 2 and thick-film heater 3 is discharged to the exterior of the dispenser through the ice bladder drain port 7 and the thick-film heater drain port 8. The provision of the ice bladder drain port 7 and the thick-film heater drain port 8 allows for more convenient and complete drainage of water within the dispenser, ensuring optimal performance and extending the dispenser's service life.

[0041] Preferably, when the water in the ice bladder 2 is suitable for drinking, the hot and cold water dispenser operates in a normal water supply mode, and the dispenser can dispense the required drinking water from the water outlet valve 5. However, when the ice bladder 2 is not used for a long time, the hot and cold water dispenser can switch to an ice bladder water replacement mode, in which the dispenser can perform internal water circulation and replace the old water in the ice bladder 2 with new water from the water tank 1.

[0042] The following combination Figure 2 To describe the normal water supply mode of the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, when the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention is in normal water supply mode, the ice bladder drain port 7 and the thick film heater drain port 8 are both blocked, the solenoid valve 6 is closed, and the water pump 4 and the outlet valve 5 are open. The water tank 1 is located at a higher elevation than the ice bladder 2. Therefore, water in the water tank 1 flows through the ice bladder inlet pipeline under the action of gravity into the ice bladder 2, causing the ice bladder 2 to be filled with water. When the user needs cold water, they can draw the cold water from the ice bladder 2 through the outlet valve 5. After the user has finished drawing water, the water in the water tank 1 is replenished into the ice bladder 2 under the action of gravity, causing the ice bladder 2 to be filled with water again.

[0044] It should be noted that, although it is described here that the water tank 1 and the ice bladder 2 are always connected through the ice bladder water inlet pipeline, this is not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can add a floating valve between the water tank 1 and the ice bladder 2. When the water level in the ice bladder 2 reaches a certain level, the float of the floating valve automatically closes the water inlet of the ice bladder 2, thereby ensuring the water level in the ice bladder 2 and preventing continuous water from entering the ice bladder 2.

[0045] On the other hand, when the amount of water in the thick film heater 3 is insufficient, the water pump 4 starts to work and pumps the water in the water tank 1 to the thick film heater 3 through the water pump outlet pipeline. The thick film heater 3 completes the heating of the water and keeps it warm. When the user needs hot water, the prepared hot water can be taken out through the water outlet valve 5.

[0046] It should be noted that, although it is described here that the water tank 1 is located at a higher height than the ice bladder 2, and the water in the water tank 1 can flow into the ice bladder 2 by gravity, this is not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can add a water pump between the water tank 1 and the ice bladder 2. When the amount of water in the ice bladder 2 is insufficient, the water in the water tank 1 can be pumped into the ice bladder 2 by the water pump. In this way, the water dispenser can not only generate cold water normally, but also flexibly set the height relationship between the water tank 1 and the ice bladder 2.

[0047] It should also be noted that although the hot and cold water dispenser described here does not have a structure for generating warm water, this is not restrictive. A person skilled in the art can add a switch valve to the ice bladder water outlet line and the thick film heater water outlet line respectively, and make the water dispenser generate drinking water of different temperatures by adjusting the degree of opening of the switch valve on the ice bladder water outlet line and the switch valve on the thick film heater water outlet line. Alternatively, the water outlet valve 5 can be directly set to the form of a mixing valve that can arbitrarily adjust the ratio of hot and cold water. This can enrich the diversity of drinking water temperature and improve the user experience of the water dispenser.

[0048] The following combination Figure 3 To describe the ice liner water changing mode of the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, in the ice bladder water exchange mode, the water outlet valve 5 is closed, the electromagnetic switch valve 6 and the water pump 4 are turned on, and the water pump 4 pumps new water from the water tank 1. The water flows through the water pump outlet pipeline to the thick film heater drainage pipeline, then passes through the electromagnetic switch valve 6, and then enters the ice bladder 2 from the bottom of the ice bladder 2 through the ice bladder discharge port 23. Finally, the water inside the ice bladder 2 is pushed back to the water tank 1, thus forming a complete reverse water cycle. After multiple water cycles, the old water in the ice bladder 2 is replaced by the new water in the water tank 1, thereby ensuring the fluidity of the water inside the ice bladder 2 and preventing it from being unsuitable for drinking due to long-term closure and disuse. After the ice bladder water exchange mode ends, the water inside the water dispenser becomes drinkable water, and the water dispenser can then start the normal water supply mode again.

[0050] The following combination Figure 4 To describe the control method of the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the control method of the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0052] S1, determining the duration of time that the water in the ice bladder is not drained;

[0053] S2, compares the duration with the set threshold;

[0054] S3, controlling the opening and closing of one or more of the switch valve, the water pump and the water outlet valve according to the comparison result.

[0055] In the above step S1, the duration of time during which the water in the ice liner 2 has not been drained can be determined in various ways. For example, a water level sensor can be provided in the ice liner 2, or a flow sensor can be provided at the ice liner water outlet 22 and / or the ice liner discharge port 23, so as to detect whether the water in the ice liner 2 has not been used for a long time and has not been drained.

[0056] In the above step S2, the set threshold value may be, for example, an empirical value and may be set to different values ​​according to different water dispenser models. The setting standard is that the level in the ice container 2 may deteriorate if it is not used for more than this time.

[0057] In step S3 above, if the comparison result shows that the duration is less than the set threshold, it is determined that there is no risk of water deterioration in the ice liner 2, and therefore the normal water supply mode is maintained, that is, the water outlet valve 5 and the water pump 4 are opened and the electromagnetic switch valve 6 is closed. Conversely, if the duration is greater than or equal to the set threshold, it is determined that there is a risk of water deterioration in the ice liner 2, and therefore the ice liner water replacement mode is switched to, that is, the water outlet valve 5 is closed, and the electromagnetic switch valve 6 and the water pump 4 are opened simultaneously, so that the water is reversely circulated between the water tank 1 and the ice liner 2 under the action of the water pump 4.

[0058] As can be seen from the above description, by turning on the ice bladder water replacement mode, that is, closing the water outlet valve 5 and simultaneously opening the water pump 4 and the electromagnetic switch valve 6 between the ice bladder drainage pipeline and the heater drainage pipeline, the hot and cold water dispenser of the present invention can reversely transport the water in the water tank 1 to the ice bladder 2 through the water pump 4, and at the same time reversely return the water in the ice bladder 2 to the water tank 1. After multiple cycles, the stale water in the ice bladder 2 is replaced by the new water in the water tank 1, thereby achieving the fluidity of the water inside the ice bladder 2 and preventing the water in the ice bladder 2 from becoming stale due to long-term closure and unused.

[0059] It should be noted that although the water dispenser can seamlessly resume normal water supply mode after completing the ice liner water exchange mode, this is not restrictive. After completing the ice liner water exchange mode, the water dispenser can also open the ice liner drain port 7 and the thick film heater drain port 8 to drain the water circulating in the ice liner water exchange mode. After all the internally circulating water has been drained from the water dispenser, new water is added to the water tank 1. After the new water is completely injected, the water dispenser resumes normal water supply mode. Furthermore, the ice liner water exchange mode can be entered after opening the ice liner drain port 7. In this case, the water pumped back from the water tank 1 into the ice liner 2 actually only flushes the ice liner 2. More accurately, this should be called the ice liner flushing mode. This adjustment to the operating mode does not change the hardware structure of the present invention and therefore falls within the hardware protection scope of the present invention.

[0060] It should also be noted that although the water dispenser does not circulate water to the thick film heater 3 in the ice tank water exchange mode, this is not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make certain changes to the pipeline connection method of the water dispenser, and connect the thick film heater drainage pipeline between the thick film heater water outlet 32 ​​and the second water outlet valve inlet 52. After entering the ice tank water exchange mode, the water dispenser can form a water flow circulation between the water tank 1-water pump 4-thick film heater 3-electromagnetic switch valve 6-ice tank 2. This can expand the scope of water circulation, make the stale water inside the water dispenser circulate more thoroughly, and improve the safety of using water in the water dispenser.

[0061] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural changes made based on the contents of the present invention description and drawings are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hot and cold water dispenser, including a water tank, an ice container, a heater, a water pump, a water outlet valve and a switch valve. It is characterized by: The water dispenser also includes an ice bladder drain and a heater drain; The ice bladder includes an ice bladder water inlet, an ice bladder water outlet and an ice bladder discharge port; The heater includes a heater water inlet and a heater water outlet; The water pump comprises a water pump inlet and a water pump outlet; The water tank includes a water tank outlet, and the ice bladder water inlet and the water pump water inlet are connected to the water tank outlet through an ice bladder water inlet pipeline and a water pump water inlet pipeline respectively; The water outlet valve comprises a water outlet valve inlet and a water outlet valve outlet, the ice bladder water outlet and the heater water outlet are connected to the water outlet valve inlet via an ice bladder water outlet pipeline and a heater water outlet pipeline respectively; The water outlet of the water pump is connected to the water inlet of the heater through a water outlet pipeline of the water pump; The heater drain port is connected to the water pump outlet pipeline through a heater drain pipeline; The ice gall drain outlet is connected to the ice gall discharge port via an ice gall drain pipeline; The switch valve is located between the ice liner drainage pipeline and the heater drainage pipeline. In the ice liner water replacement mode, the water outlet valve is closed, the switch valve and the water pump are turned on, and the water pump draws new water from the water tank. The new water flows through the water pump outlet pipeline to the heater drainage pipeline, passes through the switch valve, and then enters the ice liner from the bottom of the ice liner through the ice liner discharge port. Finally, the water inside the ice liner is pushed back to the water tank to form a complete reverse water cycle. After multiple water cycles, the old water in the ice liner is replaced by the new water in the water tank.

2. The hot and cold water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice bladder drain port and the heater drain port are formed on the housing of the hot and cold water dispenser. When the ice bladder drain port and the heater drain port are opened, water in the ice bladder and the heater is discharged through the ice bladder drain port and the heater drain port.

3. The hot and cold water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water tank outlet includes a first water tank outlet and a second water tank outlet, the ice tank water inlet pipeline is connected between the first water tank outlet and the ice tank water inlet, and the water pump inlet pipeline is connected between the second water tank outlet and the water pump inlet.

4. The hot and cold water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water outlet valve inlet includes a first water outlet valve inlet and a second water outlet valve inlet, the ice tank water outlet pipeline is connected between the first water outlet valve inlet and the ice tank water outlet, and the heater water outlet pipeline is connected between the second water outlet valve inlet and the heater water outlet.

5. The hot and cold water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heater is a thick film heater.

6. The hot and cold water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The on-off valve is an electromagnetic on-off valve.

7. The hot and cold water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hot and cold water dispenser is a pipeline hot and cold water dispenser.

8. The hot and cold water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water tank further comprises a water inlet, which is used to connect to an external water source.

9. A control method for a hot and cold water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control method comprises the following steps: Determining the duration of time during which the water in the ice bladder is not drained; Comparing the duration with a set threshold; According to the comparison result, the opening and closing of one or more of the switch valve, the water pump and the water outlet valve are controlled.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The step of “controlling the opening and closing of one or more of the switch valve, the water pump, and the water outlet valve according to the comparison result” specifically includes: If the duration is less than the set threshold, open the water outlet valve and the water pump and close the switch valve; and / or If the duration is greater than or equal to the set threshold, the switch valve and the water pump are opened and the water outlet valve is closed.

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